NJ Man Beat Dog To Death, Started Fundraiser For Vet Bills: Cops

A 24-year-old New Jersey man stands accused of killing his dog through weeks of abuse, lying about his death and attempting to collect money for the dog’s veterinary bills through a GoFundMe account.

An investigation by the Medford Township Police Department and New Jersey State Police revealed the agony Reid M. Herjo of Shamong allegedly put the dog through. For six weeks, Atlas suffered injuries that included numerous fractures – all requiring surgical repair – as well as hemorrhaging, police said.

Atlas died on Feb. 3 under what police described as “suspicious circumstances,” while he was still in Herjo’s care. Police said there was evidence the dog had suffered additional trauma.

Police later learned Herjo had set up a GoFundMe account seeking donations for Atlas’ veterinary bills. Herjo said he was collecting money for his dog after they were involved in a hit-and-run accident. He collected $14,065 via 693 separate donations over a 28-day period, police said.

The account was taken down and is no longer active.

Herjo initially told police who stopped him for speeding in Medford Township back in January that he was taking his dog to the veterinary hospital because he had been hit by an ATV, police said Tuesday morning.

He had told police he was walking his 14-year-old German Shepherd, Atlas, when the dog was hit on Jan. 22. Five days later, on Jan. 27, police learned that Herjo may have been lying about how his dog was injured.

In addition to the Jan. 22 incident, police learned the dog had been injured in two more incidents during that time. Herjo claimed the dog fell down the stairs in December, and that he fell down a hill in January, police said.

On March 28, Herjo was charged with third-degree animal cruelty and third-degree theft by deception. A Burlington County Superior Court hearing is pending.

Photo of Atlas courtesy of GoFundMe, a promotional partner of Patch